The Hao-mun is an information sect for the lower class of society.
People tend to think of nearby merchants, carters, and boatmen as emotionless NPCs, carelessly exchanging intimate information with others.
The Hao-mun Do remembers such conversations and sells the information to the Hao-mun to scrape together some snacks for their wretched lives.
In martial arts novels, courtesans are always part of the Hao-mun Do for this very reason.
Drunken truths.
It’s common for important information to leak from the lips of those who lose their self-control under the influence of alcohol.
It’s also the same when they manage to resist the alcohol. If they sleep with a courtesan or happen to do so, the barriers of their tightly held heart will crumble, spilling intimate insider information.
Even in modern times, rumors about stock-rich businessmen near securities companies didn’t just come out of nowhere.
What I need is the bid amount for the printing press at the Man Geum Bookstore.
Even without poison that could turn a person into a handful of blood, or the enthusiastic collective efforts of fans, a single careless word can turn the situation to your advantage.
“You want me to take you to a courtesan that the Hao-mun operates and have them attached to our side, right?”
In the end, I chose my other connection, the Hao-mun.
“Just fill it with courtesans skilled in extracting information.”
As an information organization, they must have some skills to ensure their target doesn’t notice they’re being fed information.
“Why should I do such a thing?”
The branch manager tightened his expression and shot a sharp question at me.
It wasn’t something as simple as selling information, nor was it just introducing someone; he was being asked to act at someone else’s request.
As a branch manager, he could also get offended over trivial matters.
But hey, there’s something he’s forgotten.
“Don’t you have an outstanding debt?”
I said it comfortably, smiling as if I wasn’t tense at all by your threat.
“You say I owe a debt?”
“To the black market. No way you forgot about what happened not too long ago, right?”
I threatened someone who should be treated like a VIP for bringing back black tokens. That too, a guest of the Sichuan Tang Family and an agenda from The Shadowless Thief.
“Ugh.”
The branch manager, perhaps remembering, pressed his forehead with two fingers and let out a groan.
“I didn’t inform the Tang Family martial artists that day. I even asked you to rescue the staff, which you didn’t do.”
I stopped the situation from escalating on my end. You betrayed trust. In an organization where trust is life, nothing can be more critical than this.
“Ah, it was just that the situation got a bit troublesome…”
The branch manager seemed to have stumbled upon a thought and fumbled his words, hands not knowing what to do.
“Then let’s clear up this minor misunderstanding about the debt.”
I straightened my posture and casually brushed my hands off as if it were nothing.
The branch manager sighed softly as he looked at me and then opened his mouth.
“Haah. It’s not for nothing that it’s The Shadowless Thief’s agenda. Sure! Then I’ll lend you manpower. But not for free. That wouldn’t add up.”
“It’s fine. The fee will be paid for by the sucker.”
The money will come from the overflowing Man Geum Bookstore.
*
Let’s eat, drink, and have fun.
Jeon Gil-san’s life at Man Geum Bookstore was one without want.
The money that flowed from an unending spring would satisfy Jeon Gil-san’s desires at any time, and even if he caused trouble, as long as he had money, everything would be smoothed over.
Even if the daughter of Man Geum Battlefield and Jeon Gil-san’s mother reproached him for his misdeeds, he would only pretend to reflect at that moment.
Even if his family threatened to cut off support, as long as the only child pretended to be on the verge of death, they ultimately couldn’t resist and would give him money again.
Thanks to this, Jeon Gil-san became a brat who grew older but lived as he pleased.
A life where he could do as he wished. But this time was different.
“Gil-san! You must become the successor of Man Geum Battlefield. Go to Yichang. Go and make achievements to boast about.”
Money allows for a comfortable life. More money will lead to an even more comfortable life.
The successor of Man Geum Battlefield. The death of his uncle even drove lazy Jeon Gil-san to action.
Jeon Gil-san was sent to Yichang by his parents.
Since he was sent to make his son achieve, he was entrusted with easy tasks that would yield visible results.
“It’s a printing press that has been used by the Yichang government, so both quality and maintenance are flawless. If we can acquire both units, it will not only reach Man Geum Bookstore but also the ears of the Lord of Man Geum.”
“If it comes to it, I can draw my sword, so let’s get it done right.”
“Yes, young master!”
Things flowed more easily than expected. Just bribing a few officials and threatening those vying for the printing press with martial artists was all that was needed.
Now, if I achieve just one more thing, I can definitely stay ahead of the other grandchildren. Jeon Gil-san recalled his mother’s words before leaving Wuhan.
The author of The Rise of the Tang Family.
A novel that left the dozens of servants at Man Geum Bookstore reading in astonishment.
If he could even bring his parents, he could achieve significant accomplishments compared to the other grandchildren of Man Geum Battlefield, making it so he could afford to pay any price to bring them.
However, there was one obstacle to overcome.
“I’m not sure if you’ll like the courtesan I introduce.”
Jeon Gil-san looked at the black-haired barbarian, who seemed surprised, scanning the surroundings.
“I didn’t think a remote place like Yichang would have a courtesan of this caliber.”
Jeon Gil-san admired the glamorous courtesan a bit but then thought about the black-haired barbarian.
“No way this guy could be the owner of the Tea Bookstore.”
He thought the owner of a barbarian servant didn’t know their place and was interrupting the great Man Geum Bookstore’s business.
Jeon Gil-san even thought about breaking one of the legs of this guy to show him the lesson. But as fate would have it, he was the owner of the Tea Bookstore.
“Ugh! This alcohol is really bitter.”
“It seems Manager Kang has grown up without any hardship.”
As the dishes were served, Jeon Gil-san spoke to the black-haired barbarian, who awkwardly poured himself a drink.
How could a lowly barbarian be engaged to the granddaughter of the lord? Surely he came from a family of some wealth.
He had a face that resembled both a comrade and naïve scholar, which made it difficult to grasp his essence.
“Haha. Is that how you see me?”
“You see, alcohol to someone who has faced hardships like me feels as sweet as honey.”
“Haha. It seems I lack the life experience to appreciate this drink.”
“Is there anything good in facing hardships? It’s enough to learn from a good person if you grow up nicely.”
“While we’re at it, why don’t you teach me a bit of your grace?”
Jeon Gil-san perceived the black-haired manager as somewhat naïve.
“If I can curry favor with him, I could gain the author Ho Pil.”
Jeon Gil-san thought while passing cups of liquor with Kang Yoon-ho.
“About the bid.”
“Why are you in such a rush? We haven’t even shared some cups yet.”
“…I might have rushed a bit.”
Didn’t I get the manager’s position with money? Surprisingly, the refusal felt sharp as a knife. Ah, it seems emotions haven’t settled yet.
Thinking that a few conversations at the courtesan house would suffice, Jeon Gil-san shared drinks with the black-haired barbarian.
———–
The black-haired barbarian is not easily swayed.
Despite already sharing drinks with Kang Yoon-ho several times at the courtesan house, the sense of distance was still there, causing Jeon Gil-san anxiety.
I need to arrange a meeting with the author Ho Pil soon. Why isn’t he coming around?
“Is it so bad for me to ask you to teach me a bit?”
“No way.”
Upon arriving at the courtesan house, the black-haired barbarian was earnestly speaking to another man.
“You came early. But what’s going on?”
“While the Master was away, I heard laughter nonstop from the next room, so I peeked and saw something like this…”
The black-haired barbarian held up a small bundle to show Jeon Gil-san.
“Hmm? Isn’t that a Gulpai? You were playing Gulpai?”
Gulpai. A type of gambling game that Jeon Gil-san often enjoyed.
“I was having fun in the next room, so I thought I’d join in.”
“You know how to play Gulpai?”
“That’s… I don’t know it well, so I keep losing. I asked this friend to teach me Gulpai, but he refused.”
The black-haired barbarian spoke, unable to lift his head in shame.
“If it’s Gulpai, I have some expertise.”
“Really?”
“If I, Jeon Gil-san, show up, even the gamblers of Wuhan will hurry to hide their money!”
In reality, it was because he’d cause a ruckus if he lost money, and even if he caused a scene, everything was smoothed over at the Man Geum Bookstore; thus, they were too dirty to play in the same game as him.
“Haha. I didn’t recognize a master and was asking a useless person. Can you teach me a bit?”
“Hmm. Alright! I’ll teach you.”
This was the opportunity to win over the black-haired barbarian. Jeon Gil-san with Kang Yoon-ho entered the gambling table, throwing around their weight.
“What in the world are those cards?”
“Big brother, you’re impressive!”
“Did you just call me big brother!”
“Yes, big brother! I’m learning all this fun!”
“Hahah! Finally, you’re opening your heart!”
Victory, victory, and more victories! As he continued to win, Jeon Gil-san felt a narrowing distance with Kang Yoon-ho, leading to great joy.
A single loss at the end made all previous victories seem meaningless, but Jeon Gil-san thought little of it.
———
“Aren’t you spending all day in the courtesan house lately?”
A man sent as Jeon Gil-san’s aide asked with a worried tone.
“Everything is for work. For work! Do you have any idea how hard I’m trying to recruit the author Ho Pil?”
“Is that so…?”
Drinks, gambling, and courtesans. Although Jeon Gil-san came to Yichang, he felt as if he’d returned home.
Moreover, in addition to recruiting the author Ho Pil, a fascinating story emerged.
“Upon thinking about it, if the author Ho Pil goes to Man Geum Bookstore, the finances of the Tea Bookstore would be in jeopardy. So I thought of a proposal.”
“What’s that?”
“How about acquiring the Tea Bookstore?”
“Acquiring the Tea Bookstore?”
“Since the Tea Bookstore has been a significant source of trouble for Man Geum Bookstore, if you spend some money to acquire it, you’ll achieve something no one at Man Geum Bookstore has accomplished.”
“C-Could that work?”
“Who am I? I’m the manager of the Tea Bookstore, of course. If you were to abandon me during the acquisition…”
“No! Would I look like that kind of person?”
“Hahaha. Of course, this matter requires further thought and discussion with the parties involved at the Tea Bookstore, but for now, let’s drink!”
“Sure. If you do, I’ll cherish you like my own brother! Bring in the courtesans!”
With a word from Jeon Gil-san, beautiful courtesans flocked in.
“Master, you really came to fetch Ho Pil? That’ll cost a fortune.”
“I came to fetch that remarkable Ho Pil.”
“Well, a Master capable of taking such a Ho Pil is more impressive, right?”
“Cough. This, this. A rarity seems hidden in Yichang.”
“Fufuf. A rarity, you say? Master, you’re truly something.”
Drinks, gambling, and courtesans. Feeling a sense of returning home along with achieving the goal, he could potentially get the black-haired barbarian to be swayed by his own skills, who even calls him ‘big brother’ now.
Soon, he would meet author Ho Pil, and with some luck, even take over the Tea Bookstore.
Everyone smiled at him. He could become the lord of Man Geum Battlefield. Jeon Gil-san was intoxicated by the sensation that he would succeed at anything, raising his cup in cheers.
He happily smiled back at everyone who laughed at him.
While everyone smiled at him, they had no idea what schemes were lurking behind those smiles.
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